Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service wrap fire engine to highlight the dangers of knife crime

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue (DFRS) have unveiled their latest fire engine to be wrapped witha safety message in support of a community cause.
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Fire Engines are a common sight within the community, so they make an excellent billboard for raising awareness of local issues. Currently, DFRS has two other wrapped engines, one wrapped in rainbow colours in support of LGBT+, and one promoting the role of an On-Call Firefighter on their locker doors.

The latest wrapped engine showcases the Knife Angel, which was displayed outside Derby Cathedral last year, to raise awareness of the issues and dangers around carrying knives.

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DFRS has been working in collaboration with Derbyshire Police for several years now, and it is hoped that this latest joint message supporting the national anti-knife crime campaign, Operation Sceptre, will help reduce knife crime across the county.

Members of the Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service pose by the newly wrapped fire engine.Members of the Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service pose by the newly wrapped fire engine.
Members of the Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service pose by the newly wrapped fire engine.

Speaking at the unveiling of the fire engine, Derbyshire’s Chief Fire Officer, Gavin Tomlinson, said: “Sadly knife crime is an issue that is reported all too frequently in the news.

“Last year we saw the Knife Angel, a statue made from over 100,000 seized knives, come to Derby Cathedral as part of a national tour to raise awareness of the dangers and issues associated with knife crime.

“As part of our ongoing collaboration with our colleagues at Derbyshire Police, I am proud that we have been able to support their anti-knife crime message and carry on the legacy of the Knife Angel’s visit to Derby, as the fire engine and its important anti-knife crime message is seen across the county.”

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Superintendent Sarah McAughtrie, who is in charge of Derbyshire police’s response to knife crime, said: “We are very pleased that our partners, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, have taken this step in promoting the anti-knife crime message.

The new message highlighting the dangers of knife crime will be displayed on their locker doors.The new message highlighting the dangers of knife crime will be displayed on their locker doors.
The new message highlighting the dangers of knife crime will be displayed on their locker doors.

“In Derbyshire, we have witnessed the sad, fatal consequences that carrying a knife can lead to and so anything that can be done to dissuade people from carrying them has our support.

“Whilst we play our part in the fight against knife crime, it is all of our responsibilities to make a stand.

“The visit of the Knife Angel to Derby last year was such a positive event that it is fantastic that its legacy and image will now be seen across the streets of Derbyshire on the side of this fire engine.”

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Hardyal Dhindsa, Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “It would be hard for anyone who saw the Knife Angel not to be moved by it. It is a potent symbol of a blight that is sweeping the nation, but also acts as a catalyst for change. I hope that by bringing it to Derby we have started conversations, and not just in education settings but also in homes.

“As PCC for Derbyshire, I am immensely proud to have been involved as part of the team that brought the Knife Angel to Derby, the first city in the East Midlands to host the statue, and hopefully helped start those all too important conversations.”

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